SPCO fans deliver petition calling for end to lockout

Mariellen Jacobson, right, chair of Save our St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, delivered a petition, signed by thousands, to SPCO board chairman and interim president Dobson West, left, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the hallway of the SPCO office in the Hamm building in St. Paul. To the right of Jacobson are Larry Thomas, Cindy Bittner, Randy Schreiner and St. Paul City Council member Dave Thune, all of whom are concerned about the orchestra's survival. (Pioneer Press: Ginger Pinson)

The locked-out musicians of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra have found a new voice of support from the orchestra's fans and patrons. A half dozen members of the group Save Our SPCO met briefly with SPCO President Dobson West on Tuesday, Jan. 8, to deliver a petition of support signed by nearly 3,000 people.

"The goal is to end the lockout," said Mariellen Jacobson, chair of the group. "The longer the lockout exists, the higher the risk of these musicians moving elsewhere. We'd like to resolve the contract to the musicians' and (management's) satisfaction."

The group formed in late October, after SPCO management locked out its musicians when the two sides could not agree on a new contract. Several dozen fans of the orchestra have met regularly since then to rally support and encourage fellow patrons to reach out to SPCO board members and elected officials to urge a resolution to the lockout, now in its 11th week.

St. Paul City Council member Dave Thune joined the group Tuesday and said he was disappointed by the ongoing dispute. He also said that the city council has dealt with its own petitions from the public and that "the orchestra's management ought to be listening."

West told the crowd he appreciated their passion: "We know our audience loves the orchestra."

Jacobson delivered the petition to West outside the orchestra's downtown St. Paul offices.

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Initially, she had asked to do so in front of the orchestra's board meeting Tuesday afternoon, but she was told it was closed to the public.

"We had really hoped to get our faces in front of the board, so they can see we are human beings," she said. "We feel like the board is being sheltered from commentary from the audience."

Last week, management and musicians sat down with a federal mediator, although both sides agreed not to publicly discuss the meetings. The musicians have since announced two more concerts they will perform independently Jan. 24 and 25. All official performances by the SPCO are canceled through Feb. 8.

The Minnesota Orchestra musicians are also locked out, with concerts canceled through Feb. 10, because of a contract dispute.